HAMILTON – On Thursday, December 11, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation proudly announced a $5-million gift from Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia in support of Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation. Having personally experienced the high quality of care at Juravinski, Ron and Nancy were inspired to make this tremendous gift to ensure that the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre has the essential equipment and resources to continue providing excellence in patient care.

“It is our wish that this gift inspires others with the means to support the tremendous and talented teams at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre or any other Hamilton Health Sciences site that is close to their hearts,” said Ron Clark. “Through personal experience we have learned how priceless good health is, and we have gained a true appreciation for the world-class quality care that is available to those in need throughout our region.”

This transformational gift will be made in installments over a three year period and will support the highest priority equipment and capital needs at the site. The first installment was received in 2014 and will support a variety of urgently needed equipment, in addition to funding essential renovations to accommodate a new MR Simulator, which will enhance treatment for cancer patients.

An MR Simulator is an advanced breed of imaging equipment that provides better contrast and higher resolution images of cancerous tumours, other tissues and organs. Radiation therapy is greatly dependent on the accurate positioning of radiation rays, and this new technology will provide improved mapping of a patient’s cancer allowing physicians to more precisely target tumours and ensure limited effect of radiation on surrounding healthy tissues.

“This gift is absolutely wonderful and will go a long way towards helping us meet the growing demand for cancer care we are seeing across the region,” says Dr. Ralph Meyer, President, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. “Community support is critical to the operation of our hospitals because medical equipment and capital projects, such as renovating and retrofitting existing spaces to meet current and future needs, are not funded by government.”

“In addition to the MR Simulator renovations, this gift will enable us to complete the Essentials for Excellence campaigns in both the Hematology and Oncology Inpatient Units,” said Roger D. Ali, Vice President, Development for Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation. “In recognition of the tremendous generosity of Ron and Nancy Clark, the Hematology Unit and Oncology Day Services have been named in their honour. Their donation will help to ensure that my hospital colleagues have the tools they need to care for the thousands of patients who rely on the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre each year.”

Pearl F. Veenema, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, gratefully acknowledged the gift by commenting that “each year we are fortunate to receive the support of
donors from throughout the region who recognize the importance of world-class cancer care being available close to home. It is tremendously rewarding when grateful patients, such as the Clarks, are able to provide such essential support. With continued growth in patient volumes, and ongoing advancements in medical treatment and care, this gift will help ensure that The Foundation is able to provide the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre with the tools they need so that we can meet our goal of Health Care, Transformed.”

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About Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre

Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre is a full-service general hospital offering excellence in cancer care and orthopedics. The site’s combination of specialized inpatient and outpatient programs supports one of the province’s busiest and largest comprehensive cancer centres, including community-based oncology clinics at hospitals in Brantford, Burlington and Niagara. Overall, The Juravinski ranks first in Ontario for number of chemotherapy visits, and second in both cancer centre patient visits and bone marrow/stem cell transplants. The Hospital is also home to one of Ontario’s top arthroplasty programs, performing the second highest volume of total joint replacement procedures. It was also the first site in the province and second in Canada to introduce CyberKnife technology, the world’s only robotic radio surgery system. Also located on the Juravinski campus is the Escarpment Cancer Research Institute.

About Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation

Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation as part of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation is a registered charitable organization focused on raising funds to support capital redevelopment projects, purchase medical equipment and invest in research and education to enable quality care for patients throughout south-central Ontario who rely on the specialized cancer and orthopedic care offered at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Our goal is Health Care, Transformed.